Republican Jeff Flake, the congressman who won Arizona's open U.S. Senate seat, built his reputation on a fierce opposition to earmarks, the special funding requests for roads, bridges and other local pet projects that are criticized as wasteful patronage. less

Republican Jeff Flake, the congressman who won Arizona's open U.S. Senate seat, built his reputation on a fierce opposition to earmarks, the special funding requests for roads, bridges and other local pet ... more

State Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, speaks during a Spanish-language debate against Republican U.S. Rep. Francisco Quico Canseco on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012 at Palo Alto College in San Antonio, Texas. (John Albright / San Antonio Express News) less

State Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, speaks during a Spanish-language debate against Republican U.S. Rep. Francisco Quico Canseco on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012 at Palo Alto College in San Antonio, Texas.
(John ... more